Saturday, September 18, 2021

Reading, Sipping and kitchen happenings

It's Saturday already. How did that happen.  Seems I always think it's Sunday or Tuesday and I get behind on some blog events which I'd planned to participate. Oh well. Maybe next week.

This past week I'd been a bit blue about the crappy weather, the canceled trip we'd look forward to for months and some little things.  It's all about perspective.  Many people have it worse and I suppose it's the constant rain which finally set me off.  So...anyone who sent well wishes after the Instagram post - I appreciate it.  All is well. xo

Here's the weekly roundup.

 In the kitchen / We had a version of chicken frito casserole but it was more like stew.  Lots of extra broth and tomato juices helped to thin it out. Black beans, red beans, tomatoes and lots of spices helped make this a good dinner and a lunch. Optional toppings of shredded cheese, sour cream and hunks of avocado dressed it up.



Doug's birthday dinner was grilled filet mignon, roasted sweet potatoes and French green beans.  A hearty meal which was planned for the trip to Lake Seminole.  But we still had the same menu!





Sipping / Louis Jadot Chablis is a frequent lodger in the wine cooler. I think I have at least three bottles of this French one chilling.


Trying out different bourbons from his usual favorites, Doug had this Blade and Bow, cracking the seal on his birthday evening. He liked it as well as Elijah Craig which is his go-to bourbon.



Reading / I started the latest Stephen King novel and can't put it down.  I'm not into horror at all and so I haven't read his earlier works but I did enjoy 11/22/63 very much.  The television mini series was good and mostly kept to the book plot.

This new one is called Billy Summers and it instantly draws you in.  Can't put it down.


That's it for this week. 


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33 comments:

  1. Tina, I'm sorry you've had to cancel travel plans and that the weather isn't cooperating. We just got our first big rain storm since last spring and while I'm happy for the plants and trees, I'm hoping it won't last too long since we head out on Monday for a bit of camping in the RV.

    Your chili chicken casserole looks delicious. I'll have to check my pantry and see if I have all the ingredients to fix it tonight. It might be perfect for this cold, rainy day. Last night we had corn chowder, which was yummy. I do love soups, chili and stews since there's always a lot of leftovers for lunches and dinners.

    I loved 11/22/63 and am looking forward to reading Billy Summers. It sounds like a lot of readers are enjoying it and I'm glad it's not scary.

    Adding Blade & Bow to my list of bourbons to try with my hubby!

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    1. Les, have fun on your upcoming trip. I will check in to see photos and where you went. Doug has been trying a few different bourbons so I’ll let you know which ones he seems to favor if you all want to try some out. Let me know which ones you get too!

      Yes, the Stephen King book is really grabbing me. I don’t like the horror genre but his last two have been excellent.

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  2. Cancelled trips seem to be the new normal. I hope you'll be able to plan and DO another trip soon. And your chicken looks very delicious.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you, Mae. Hoping we’ll be in Omaha within the next two weeks!

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  3. It's so frustrating to have to cancel plans you were looking forward to.

    The chicken frito casserole looks delicious and you can't beat the birthday dinner!

    It has been many years since I have read a Stephen King novel, but I loved his book on writing.

    Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Gretchen, I have only read two others of Stephen King and liked the one about Kennedy very much. This casserole is easy and holds over well should you decide to try it.

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  4. Sorry you had to cancel your trip! Happy Belated Birthday to Doug, his dinner looks so good. So does the Chicken Frito Casserole. I'm adding it to my menu for next week.

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    1. Thankns, Vicki, we will be going on other trips (I hope) weather permitting! I just had a grousy down day. Hope you love the chicken frito. It's greta with fresh avocado.

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  5. Forgot to say I was going to start Billy Summers yesterday but didn't so I'll start it tomorrow.

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    1. Vicki, it's a fet book so I'm glad I have it on Kindle. I can't put it down!

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  6. Your food looks yummy! We have been wanting to try Blade and Bow but cannot find it in our area, so I am hoping to go down to Dallas soon and find it there.

    Here is my link:
    https://twogirlsandtheirbookishlife.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-sunday-salon-it-is-high-holiday.html

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    1. Tee - Blade and Bow is plentiful in the Tallahassee Florida area so if you are over this way....I will tell you which stores are least expensive :-)

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  7. Sorry your trip was cancelled. We had the week off work this week because we were supposed to be travelling to Canberra this weekend. Originally the plan was to take two weeks off but there's no point staying at home for two weeks so I am back to work on monday.

    OH, and happy birthday to Doug! His birthday dinner looks delicious!

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    1. Marg, I agree, why waste vacation days if you can';t get away. I'm glad you'll have some time away from work though. Thanks for the comment about Doug's birthday dinner - it was great!

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  8. I'm going to have to look for that wine. I'm trying to transition to white and I've found some French ones that I really like. I loved 11/22/63 too and have been hearing such great things about this new King book. Happy reading!

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    1. Stacy, I didn;t think I liked whites but discovered I didn't like the oak in whites. An unoaked Chardonnay is the bomb.
      I loved the 11/22/63 book and thought the series followed fairly well. I would Love to see Billy Summers made into a mini series!

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  9. Yum, that Chicken Frito Pie looks delicious! I love frito pie but never thought to make it with chicken...we are all down with horrible colds (back to school woes). Have a great week ahead.

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    1. Melynda, I hope you all recover soon. Colds are so annoying. Eat soup!

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  10. 11/22/63 was my favorite Stephen King by far! I will definitely taking look at Billy Summers. I also haven't read many of Stephen King's earlier work, but I love his newer books. I've read Later earlier this year and also enjoyed it a lot!

    Have a good week and happy reading!

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    1. Elza, I hadn't read much of the early ork, not into horror, but these last two have made me a fan.

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  11. I haven't read King in years, but I might try this.

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  12. Hope Doug had a wonderful birthday! We just had the exact same meal for my mother's big day... delicious. I must have missed the instagram post about your cancelled trip. What a bummer! We have drastically curtailed activities again, too, and a working on a plan for a safe trip back to Florida. So much uncertainly these days. And so much frustration, too. Hope you have a good week, Tina.

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    1. JoAnn, that's funny we had the same thing for dinner! We are still going on another trip (finger's crossed) so at least we can have some fun. Be careful heading back to DeathSantis country!

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  13. Mmm, tempted to add a King novel to my current tbr pile. Have a good week.

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    1. vvb, my to read list grows everyday. I won't live long enooough to read them all.

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  14. That's kind of how I feel right now--I want to join in on blog events and then they slip by before I do. I've just been so busy with other things, but it's also a motivation issue. Cancelled travel plans and the weather combined with the heaviness of everything else going on around us would get to anyone. I am glad you are doing better. I am glad to hear you are enjoying Billy Summers. I may have to check it out. I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Lit Feline, thanks so much for commenting! It just gets you down soemtimes, the weather and all of it. But...I am indeed in a better frame of mind. For the blog events I feel like I need to plan well in advance!

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  15. It's no fun to have to cancel plans but it looks like you are eating, drinking, and reading well at least. The King book is on my #TBR list for sure. Thanks for sharing your casserole.stew with Souper Sundays this week! ;-)

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    1. Deb, we are indeed eating and drinking well, ha! I'll have another submission for Souper Sunday this week then I am taking a bit of time off.

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  16. We had planned to visit our son and daughter-in-law in Chicago in the summer of 2020, but had to cancel, so we rescheduled for the summer of 2021, and, again, we canceled. We spontaneously decided to put on an N95 mask and fly to visit them this weekend. I am so glad we were able to get together, and I hope you are able to reschedule your trip soon.

    Your casserole looks fantastic. It has all of the foods I love.

    I've heard lots of good things about Billy Summers. I can't wait to hear your review, Tina.

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    1. Deb, we planned the same in 2020 and then Covid hit. We are still going to visit but it's years overdue now. The trip cancelled was a birthday trip for Doug we'd planned months in advance. I think I ought to clarify that on my next post!

      The casserole can be made stew-y by adding broth, I recommend it.
      The book is fabulous :-)

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  17. Bummer on the trip. It's so frustrating ... between the weather and COVID, it's grrrrrr time. Happy late birthday to Doug. I don't do horror either, so if you can read Billy Summers, I guess I'd be able to read it too. And I'll let Mr. BFR know about the bourbons.

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